Opinion

Andrew Lopez, 12, of Midland, Texas, sits next to a statue of George H.W. Bush inside the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. (David J. Phillip | Associated Press)

Opinion: Wonderful lessons to be learned from late President Bush

Late President Bush, “never hated anyone” which really touches the heart.

Andrew Lopez, 12, of Midland, Texas, sits next to a statue of George H.W. Bush inside the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. (David J. Phillip | Associated Press)
Opinion: Energy production is a boon for Alaska and all Americans
Opinion: Energy production is a boon for Alaska and all Americans
Opinion: End ‘free passes’ for sexual violence

Opinion: End ‘free passes’ for sexual violence

Alaska needs meaningful policy change.

Opinion: End ‘free passes’ for sexual violence
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: The hollow satisfaction of undoing government

Opinion: The hollow satisfaction of undoing government

Going back to the problems we had before one side thinks they solved them isn’t “doing things differently.”

Opinion: The hollow satisfaction of undoing government
In this Nov. 6 photo, an ebullient Mike Dunleavy enters a campaign party as polls close on Election Day in Anchorage. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Alaska elections — anomalies and similarities

For Alaskans, bucking this national trend should have very positive consequences.

In this Nov. 6 photo, an ebullient Mike Dunleavy enters a campaign party as polls close on Election Day in Anchorage. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press File)
In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Finding a solution to wildfires

Recently, the Juneau Empire reprinted an editorial from a California newspaper that called for everyone to come together to find a solution to wildfires. Research… Continue reading

In this Nov. 16, 2018 photo, a firefighter searches for human remains in a trailer park destroyed in the Camp Fire, in Paradise, California. The massive wildfire that killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes has been fully contained after burning for more than two weeks, authorities said Sunday, Nov. 25. (John Locher | Associated Press File)
Heidi Hansen.

Opinion: Lift the Roadless Rule for the Tongass

From the North Slope to the Panhandle, and the Interior to the Peninsula, rural Alaskans are prioritizing their access — to each other, the rest… Continue reading

Heidi Hansen.
Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy

Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy

Confident leadership understands that some dissention in the ranks fosters critical thinking and builds solid morale.

Opinion: Tolerating dissent is good business and good for democracy
In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)                                 In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)

Opinion: #LOVETHYNEIGHBOR (No exceptions)

Last week I arrived heartbroken and filled with grief in Pittsburgh, where I was born, raised and lived 10 years as an adult. I arrived… Continue reading

In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)                                 In this Oct. 29 file photo, a makeshift memorial stands outside the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of a deadly shooting at the in Pittsburgh. (AP File Photo | Matt Rourke)
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy reacts to early favorable election returns on Nov. 6, 2018 in Anchorage. With Dunleavy are from left, his wife Rose and daughters Ceil and Maggie. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press)

Opinion: On constitutional reform

Dunleavy is gearing up to consider some constitutional reforms.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy reacts to early favorable election returns on Nov. 6, 2018 in Anchorage. With Dunleavy are from left, his wife Rose and daughters Ceil and Maggie. (Michael Dinneen | Associated Press)
Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?

Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?

Why are we so obsessed with killing each other?

Opinion: Do we have a political will for gun control?
Juneau Empire reporters James Brooks, left, and Alex McCarthy keep track of Alaska legislative races from the Empire’s Election Central at McGivney’s Sports Bar and Grill on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Redistricting approaches in 2020

The alternative is to do nothing.

Juneau Empire reporters James Brooks, left, and Alex McCarthy keep track of Alaska legislative races from the Empire’s Election Central at McGivney’s Sports Bar and Grill on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
In this April 16, 2002 photo, Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as “Spider-Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “X-Men,” smiles during a photo session in his office in Santa Monica, California. Comic book genius Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95. (Reed Saxon | Associated Press File)

Opinion: Stan Lee, Hero among Heroes

RIP Stan Lee, and thanks.

In this April 16, 2002 photo, Stan Lee, creator of comic-book franchises such as “Spider-Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “X-Men,” smiles during a photo session in his office in Santa Monica, California. Comic book genius Lee, the architect of the contemporary comic book, has died. He was 95. (Reed Saxon | Associated Press File)
A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ballot Measure 1 threatens our communities

This initiatives threatens jobs and the economy.

A male pink salmon fights its way up stream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Thank you, Alaskans, for your support in the election

Thank you, Alaska. Debra Call and I are honored by every vote we earned and are humbled by all the Alaskans we had the opportunity… Continue reading

Democrat gubernatorial candiate Mark Begich, a former U.S. Senator for Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage, speaks during an interview in Juneau on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force

Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force

Seeing a submariner is a rare and privileged opportunity.

Opinion: On scene, unseen: the US Navy submarine force
Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Post-election blues

The political reality was an old story for Alaska Democrats.

Hector Mojica exits a voting booth at Glacier Valley Baptist Church on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Yes on 1: Alaska’s 56-year-old salmon protections need an updated

There are several reasons why the international mining and oil industries are happy with the 56-year-old statute salmon habitat protection statute AS.16.05.871-896, known as the… Continue reading

Chum salmon swim beneath the surface of Salmon Creek on Aug. 3, 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Former state Senator Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Begich would tax, Dunleavy, cut. Whoever wins will have to act fast.

The two major candidates for governor, Mark Begich and Mike Dunleavy, have different philosophies on how to tackle our structural budget deficit. Begich would draw… Continue reading

Former state Senator Mike Dunleavy, left, Gov. Bill Walker, center, and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich shake hands after a debate at a Juneau Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)